nimble, spirited, mature

About the Instrument
This violin is a delight to play, lovely across all registers and responsive. It could easily stand out as a solo instrument or blend smoothly in a group. The instrument’s two-piece back piece bears beautiful flames that also run strongly along the ribs, neck, and scroll. The instrument’s varnish is a lovely reddish-brown with a green-gold ground. The back button bears Contino’s brand, which reads “A. Contino Napoli,” as does the base on either side of the end button. The interior of the top plate includes an inscription of a jettatura or “evil eye” to ward off bad luck. The jettatura bears a pyramid with an eye in the center and “P. F. T” at its points. Below the pyramid reads: “Alfred Contino / Noc fecit Napoli / 1923.” This violin has two parallel cracks under the chinrest and one crack on the treble side of the tailpiece. These cracks have been carefully repaired by a professional with cleats. Aside from these repairs, the violin is in excellent condition. Overall, it is in very good condition.

Interior label reads: “Alredus Contino / Premiento al Concorso di Liuteria in ROMA / unico allievo di V. POSTIGLIONE / — Fecit Napoli anno 1923” with his signature.
Length: 357 mm
Upper Bouts: 158 mm
Middle: 107 mm
Lower Bouts: 196 mm

About the Maker
Alfredo Contino (1890-1963) was born in Naples and, at twelve, worked under Vincenzo Postiglione, one of the leading Italian luthiers of the 19th century. Contino succeeded Postiglione in taking over the workshop. He known for his remarkably accurate copies of Gagliano family instruments, though others are based on Stradivari and Guarneri models. His earlier works, such as this one, are known as his finest. In 1932, Contino earned a gold medal at Padua. Some of his instruments have ground varnish treated with potassium bichromate, giving them a distinctive “olive oil” or greenish hue that references earlier Neapolitan luthiers’ aesthetics. Contino often branded his back button or lower rib with “A. Contino Napoli.” Perhaps most compellingly, Contino drew a Southern Italian mark of the jettatura in his instruments. The jettatura is the power of the evil eye, captured in a symbol to ward off bad luck for its bearer. Contino inscribed the evil eye on the interior front plate of his violins near the upper shoulder—a location nearly impossible to see.